South Georgia & The Falkland Islands

Cruising To South Georgia & The Falkland Islands

Discover stunningly beautiful South Georgia Island & The Falkland Islands, home to incredible wildlife, once visited, not easily forgotten.

Discover the magnificent mountains and glaciers of South Georgia, a place that overwhelms with wildlife and incredible scenery. Once a popular spot for many historic Antarctic expeditions and a centre of whaling industry, nowadays it is only left with amazing wildlife. Visit the South Georgia Museum and a grave of Sir Ernest Shackleton in Grytviken, an inspirational leader of the 20th century. See stately king penguin colonies on a single beach, enjoy a view of nesting albatrosses and share a beach with massive elephant seals.

The Falkland Islands are known as the Islas Malvinas in Argentina, and are a remote South Atlantic archipelago that lies 490 km east of Patagonia. There are two main islands, East and West Falkland, and they are home to spectacular wildlife. Five types of penguin (gentoo, king, macaroni, magellanic and rockhopper) breed there as well as colonies of elephant seals and black-browed albatrosses. Discover Stanley, a small capital of Falklands, which is a hub and main shopping centre of the islands and see the jawbones of two massive blue whales called the Whalebone Arch that is situated next to another iconic attraction of Stanley: the Christ Church Cathedral.

Choose from our range of unique trips or contact us and we’ll be happy to tailor the perfect itinerary to suit your requirements.

FAQs

When is the best time to go?

The austral summer is the best time to plan a trip to South Georgia or the Falkland Islands, between October and April. November to February are the warmest months, though snow and rain can be possible at all times of the year.

Where is South Georgia and the Falklands?

South Georgia is situated in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote and inhospitable collection of islands nearly 1,400 kilometres southeast of the Falkland Islands.

The Falkland Islands are situated 483 kilometres from the South American mainland and 1,365 kilometres north of the Antarctic Circle, midway between Argentina and South Africa in the South Atlantic Ocean.

At Viva Expeditions, we keep our eyes firmly peeled on the ‘special deal fronts’, which include:

- early-bird sales

- last-minute deals

- special charters

- introductory deals on new vessels

Our Specials Page is constantly updated with new deals as they’re offered and do note that the list can cover all cruise itineraries: from classic routes to extended itineraries including South Georgia and the Falklands, Antarctic Circle cruises and plenty of Fly+Sail options, whereby you fly to King George Island, bypassing a crossing of the Drake Passage, and join a shorter cruise from there.

When it comes to mitigating costs, note that booking months in advance (both flights and cruises) can actually save you a neat bundle, oftentimes more than if you were to simply wait for a deal on the cruise alone. Moreover, know that being among the first or last cruise passengers in Antarctica can also slash the cost considerably, as the great majority of visitors head down over the Christmas break, making December and January the busiest and most expensive months of all. Early and late Antarctic cruises also offer unique advantages that go beyond savings – the former offering pristine landing sites with not a footstep to be seen and, the latter, sensational whale-watching galore.

Fitness levels for South Georgia or the Falklands?

Being fit is not a must, however, being in a good health is. You need to be able to get in and out of zodiacs during land expeditions, knowing that it can be slippery. A doctor is on board during the tour, but you are still a long way from any other medical assistance.

Is it safe to travel to South Georgia or the Falklands?

All our tours are 100% tried and tested to ensure that when you travel with us, you are doing so in a controlled and safe environment with trained experts. One of our biggest concern is the weather conditions to ensure you have the best adventure without risk of injuries to you or the vessel. For your safety, activities may occasionally need to be rescheduled or cancelled.

Do I need a visa for South Georgia & the Falklands?

A visa is not required to travel to South Georgia. If your Antarctica cruise is departing from an Argentinian port such as Ushuaia, no pre-arranged visa is required to enter Argentina by citizens of the UK, Australia, Ireland, the European Union, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and the USA. Other nationalities should check with their closest Argentinean embassy or consulate. Canadian citizens must pay a "reciprocity fee" to enter Argentina. This is not a visa, but a fee based on what Argentinean citizens pay for visas to Canada. The fee must be paid online and in advance for arrival at all airports.

No visa is needed for passengers visiting the Falkland Islands. If you are flying into Port Stanley to board a Falkland Islands Antarctica Cruise, or if you are planning to spend additional time in the Falkland Islands before or after your cruise, you may need a visa. Visas are not required by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, the European Union, Canada, USA and South Africa. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact their nearest British Embassy or Consulate to check visa requirements for the Falkland Islands.

If your Falkland Islands Antarctica cruise is departing from an Argentinian port such as Ushuaia, no pre-arranged visa is required to enter Argentina by citizens of the UK, Australia, Ireland, European Union, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and the USA. Other nationalities should check with their closest Argentinean embassy or consulate.

Canadian citizens must pay a "reciprocity fee" to enter Argentina. This is not a visa, but a fee based on what Argentinean citizens pay for visas to Canada. The fee must be paid online and in advance for arrival at all airports.

What money can I use in South Georgia?

The currency is the Falkland Islands pound

What language do they speak in South Georgia?

As it is a British Overseas Territory, English is the official language.

Some of the main Attractions

Witness a colony of king penguins

It is no fewer than 450 000 pairs of penguins that you can find on this remote island. Considered the largest crèche in the world it is an amazing place for photographs and to experience these incredible animals up close.

South Georgia Museum

Originally established as a whaling museum in 1992, South Georgia Museum has grown and also includes the history of the island. The museum includes exhibits that display the discovery of the island, sealing, whaling and natural history.

Stanley

Stanley is the capital of Falkland Islands. The town is home to around 2000 people and is the main shopping centre on the islands. Visitors can enjoy the British flavour of Stanley due to the iconic red phone boxes as well as the Victorian Police Station.

Christ Church Cathedral and the Whalebone Arch

Christ Church Cathedral and the Whalebone Arch are two most iconic attractions in Stanley. The southernmost Anglican Church is an example of Victorian style building with coloured glass windows and the Whalebone Arch is made of blue whale bones.

Carcass Island

Largest of the West Point Island Group of the Falkland Islands, Carcass Island is a haven for small bird species, magellanic penguins, gentoo penguins and other marine animals. Covered with rocky hills, the island is a great place for hiking enthusiasts.

Shackleton’s Grave

Polar explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, led three British expeditions to Antarctica with an attempt to be the first men to reach the South Pole. Today, he is known as one of the most inspirational leaders of the twentieth century.